Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in footage published by his ministry on Saturday that the country's production of military drones had ramped up in the past year, though certain technical issues still needed tackling.

Russia has made extensive use of drones in the course of the almost two year-long military campaign in Ukraine, but has often had to rely on cheap Iranian-made Shahed drones.

"The production capacities that have been created allow us to complete most of the tasks that we are faced with today," Shoigu said during a tour of drone production facilities in the Volga river region of Udmurtia.

He was shown telling a meeting of officials that issues related to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in drones and electronic warfare still needed to be resolved.

Moscow has in recent months been signalling that its military industrial complex has stepped up production, as Russia seeks to break months of military deadlock in Ukraine.

Ukrainian commanders have said drones will be vital to gaining the upper hand in the conflict, while military analysts say heavy use of the weapons by both sides is making it difficult for troops to make land advances.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in footage published by his ministry on Saturday that the country's production of military drones had ramped up in the past year, though certain technical issues still needed tackling.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in footage published by his ministry on Saturday that the country's production of military drones had ramped up in the past year, though certain technical issues still needed tackling. Russia has made extensive use of drones in the course of the almost two year-long military campaign in Ukraine, but has often had to rely on cheap Iranian-made Shahed drones. "The production capacities that have been created allow us to complete most of the tasks that we are faced with today," Shoigu said during a tour of drone production facilities in the Volga river region of Udmurtia. He was shown telling a meeting of officials that issues related to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in drones and electronic warfare still needed to be resolved. Moscow has in recent months been signalling that its military industrial complex has stepped up production, as Russia seeks to break months of military deadlock in Ukraine. Ukrainian commanders have said drones will be vital to gaining the upper hand in the conflict, while military analysts say heavy use of the weapons by both sides is making it difficult for troops to make land advances.

Russia is ramping up its military drone production, says Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu

Amid the ongoing Ukraine war, Russia has been consistently claiming that Kyiv is planning to use a "dirty bomb", which is a conventional explosive device laced with toxic nuclear material.

Moscow had also dialled the U.S., United Kingdom, Turkey, and France to convey its fears about the usage of such weapons, which has the potential to escalate tensions in the region.&nbsp;

Now, in the latest attempt, Russia held telephonic conversations with India and China. Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday reiterated "dirty bomb" claims in a video call with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh and Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe respectively.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-putin-oversees-training-of-nuclear-deterrence-forces-528574">Russia-Ukraine war: Putin oversees training of nuclear deterrence forces</a>&nbsp;

The ministry said in a statement: "The situation in Ukraine was discussed. Army General Sergei Shoigu conveyed to his Chinese counterpart concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of a 'dirty bomb'."&nbsp;

In a separate phone call with the Indian defence minister, he talked about the same issue. Meanwhile, Singh told Shoigu that the Ukraine conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The Indian minister added that the nuclear option should not be resorted to by any side.&nbsp;

In a statement, the Indian ministry said: "Singh reiterated India's position on the need to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy for an early resolution of the conflict."

"He pointed out that the nuclear option should not be resorted to by any side as the prospect of the usage of nuclear or radiological weapons goes against the basic tenets of humanity," the statement added.&nbsp;

The ministry added that the Indian defence minister also discussed bilateral defence cooperation between India and Russia and mentioned the deteriorating situation in Ukraine.&nbsp;

WATCH | War in Ukraine: Stoltenberg says dirty bomb allegations are false&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/war-in-ukraine-stoltenberg-says-dirty-bomb-allegations-are-false-528581/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-notifies-us-of-the-annual-nuclear-exercise-it-has-started-528540">Russia notifies US of the annual nuclear exercise it has started</a>&nbsp;

Russia has blamed Ukraine of plotting to use a "dirty bomb", but Kyiv dismissed the allegations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia has information showing the "existing threat" of Ukraine using a "dirty bomb".&nbsp;

"We will vigorously continue bringing our point of view to the world community to encourage them to take active steps to prevent such irresponsible behaviour," Peskov said, adding that Ukraine is "preparing for such a terrorist act of sabotage".&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Amid the ongoing Ukraine war, Russia has been consistently claiming that Kyiv is planning to use a "dirty bomb", which is a conventional explosive device laced with toxic nuclear material.

Amid the ongoing Ukraine war, Russia has been consistently claiming that Kyiv is planning to use a "dirty bomb", which is a conventional explosive device laced with toxic nuclear material. Moscow had also dialled the U.S., United Kingdom, Turkey, and France to convey its fears about the usage of such weapons, which has the potential to escalate tensions in the region. Now, in the latest attempt, Russia held telephonic conversations with India and China. Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday reiterated "dirty bomb" claims in a video call with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh and Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe respectively. ALSO READ | Russia-Ukraine war: Putin oversees training of nuclear deterrence forces The ministry said in a statement: "The situation in Ukraine was discussed. Army General Sergei Shoigu conveyed to his Chinese counterpart concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of a 'dirty bomb'." In a separate phone call with the Indian defence minister, he talked about the same issue. Meanwhile, Singh told Shoigu that the Ukraine conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The Indian minister added that the nuclear option should not be resorted to by any side. In a statement, the Indian ministry said: "Singh reiterated India's position on the need to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy for an early resolution of the conflict." "He pointed out that the nuclear option should not be resorted to by any side as the prospect of the usage of nuclear or radiological weapons goes against the basic tenets of humanity," the statement added. The ministry added that the Indian defence minister also discussed bilateral defence cooperation between India and Russia and mentioned the deteriorating situation in Ukraine. WATCH | War in Ukraine: Stoltenberg says dirty bomb allegations are false × ALSO READ | Russia notifies US of the annual nuclear exercise it has started Russia has blamed Ukraine of plotting to use a "dirty bomb", but Kyiv dismissed the allegations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia has information showing the "existing threat" of Ukraine using a "dirty bomb". "We will vigorously continue bringing our point of view to the world community to encourage them to take active steps to prevent such irresponsible behaviour," Peskov said, adding that Ukraine is "preparing for such a terrorist act of sabotage". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia reiterates Ukraine 'dirty bomb' claims, India stresses on dialogue to resolve conflict

defence-minister-sergei-shoigu

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, News on Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, stories on Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, articles on Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu stories at Wion, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu news, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu latest news

defence minister-sergei-shoigu

Russia is ramping up its military drone production, says Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu

Russia reiterates Ukraine 'dirty bomb' claims, India stresses on dialogue to resolve conflict